JP3358236B2 - Alkaline ion water purifier - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention electrolyzes raw water such as tap water and well water to produce alkaline ionized water used for drinking and medical use and acidic ionized water used as lotion and sterilization washing water. It relates to an alkali ion water purifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a continuous electrolysis-type alkali ion water conditioner has become widespread. This alkali ion water purifier is
In the electrolytic cell, tap water or the like is electrolyzed to generate acidic ionized water on the anode side and alkaline ionized water on the cathode side.

[0003] A conventional continuous electrolysis type alkali ion water conditioner will be described below. FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner, and FIG. 7 is a main part electric circuit diagram of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner. 1 is a raw water pipe such as tap water, 2 is a faucet, 3 is an alkali ion water purifier connected to the raw water pipe 1 via a faucet 2, 4 is an activated carbon which internally absorbs residual chlorine in raw water and general 5 is a water purifier equipped with a hollow fiber membrane for removing bacteria and impurities, 5 is a mineral supply unit for increasing conductivity by supplying calcium ions such as calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate and other minerals to the raw water;
Is a flow sensor for checking the flow of water and instructing the controller to be described later. 7 is an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water passing through the flow sensor 6, 8 is a diaphragm which divides the electrolytic tank 7 into two and forms an electrode chamber, 9 , 10 are electrode plates disposed in each electrode chamber formed by being divided into two by the diaphragm 8, and 11 is a drain pipe for discharging water on the electrode plate 10 side (acid ion water when the electrode plate 10 is an anode). , 12 are arranged near the junction between the electrolytic cell 7 and the drain pipe 11 to adjust the water discharge flow rate for efficiently generating alkali ions, and 13 is water on the electrode plate 9 side (the electrode plate 9 is a cathode). Discharge pipe for discharging water
Reference numeral 4 denotes an electromagnetic valve for draining accumulated water in the electrolytic cell 7 or washing water in which scale has been dissolved during electrode washing. Reference numeral 15 denotes water on the electrode plate 10 side via a drain pipe 11 (when the electrode plate 10 is an anode, A discharge pipe for draining accumulated water or washing water in the electrolytic bath 7; a cartridge sensor 16 for detecting the presence or absence of a cartridge of the water purifier 4; a plug 17 for turning on the power; and a plug 17 for turning on the power. A power supply unit for changing the AC power supply to a DC power supply, 19 is a controller for controlling the operation of the alkali ion water conditioner 3, and 20 is an operation display unit for displaying the operation state of the alkali ion water conditioner 3.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 21 denotes a transformer disposed inside the power supply section 18, reference numeral 22 denotes a control DC power supply for generating a DC voltage and current required for control and the like, and reference numeral 23 denotes a DC voltage and current required for electrolysis. DC power supply for electrolysis, 24 is a current transducer arranged before the DC power supply for electrolysis 23 to detect a current flowing through the electrode of the electrolytic cell, 25 is a smoothing converter which converts a signal of the current transducer 24 into a DC level and inputs it to the controller 19. 26, an output control circuit, 27, an electrolytic cell-electromagnetic valve switching relay, 28, a polarity switching relay for switching the polarity of the electrode plates 9, 10,
Reference numeral 9 denotes an electromagnetic valve solenoid, and reference numeral 30 denotes an EEPROM that stores integrated flow rate data and the like of the cartridge even during a power failure.

[0005] The operation of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner configured as described above will be described below. After passing through the raw water, the water purifier 4 removes residual chlorine odor and impurities such as general bacteria in the raw water, and the mineral supply unit 5 dissolves calcium glycerophosphate or the like and treats it into water that can be easily electrolyzed. Water is passed to the electrolytic cell 7 via the sensor 6.
On the other hand, AC 100 V is supplied from the power supply plug 17, a DC voltage current necessary for control and the like is generated by the control DC power supply 22 through the transformer 21 inside the power supply unit 18, and a DC voltage current required for electrolysis is Generates DC voltage and current. The DC voltage / current from the DC power supply for electrolysis 23 is supplied to the electrode plate 9 and the electrode plate 10 of the electrolytic cell 7 via the output control circuit 26, the electrolytic cell-electromagnetic valve switching relay 27, and the polarity switching relay 28. The controller 19 reads the signal of the flow rate sensor 6, judges that the water flow is present when the signal exceeds a certain level, and applies a voltage to the electrode plates 9 and 10 of the electrolytic cell 7 to perform electrolysis.

[0006] When the controller 19 applies a voltage, acidic ionized water is generated in the anode chamber and alkaline ionized water is generated in the cathode chamber.

When a voltage is applied by operating the polarity switching relay 28 so that the electrode plate 9 has a negative voltage while passing water, alkali ion water is continuously obtained from the discharge pipe 13.

The alkali ion water conditioner 3 includes an operation display unit 2
By changing the setting of 0, it is possible to switch between alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, and purified water. That is, a positive voltage may be applied to the electrode plate 9 during acidic ionized water, and water may be passed without applying a voltage during purified water.

The electrode cleaning for regenerating the electrode plates 9 and 10 is performed by removing the scale of the electrode surface adhered by electrolysis with the voltage polarity reversed in the water-stop state after use, as in the case of the acidic ionized water generation. Is dissolved in the electrolyzed water, and then the electrolysis tank-electromagnetic valve switching relay 27 is operated to activate the electromagnetic valve 14.
And water is discharged from the water discharge pipe 15. Water discharge is also performed after generation of acidic ionized water to prevent drinking of acidic ionized water.

A control program for the alkali ion water conditioner used as described above will be described below. FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the control program. When the power is turned on to the alkali ion water conditioner 3, the controller 19 initializes the internal state and reads out the data stored in the EEPROM 30, and then, as shown in FIG. When the cartridge is exchanged, the accumulated flow count is cleared, and the instantaneous maximum flow velocity is detected (S).
1). Next, an operation mode setting process for alkaline ionized water, acidic ionized water, purified water, etc. is performed according to the state of the switches (S2). When the operation mode setting process is completed, the life of the cartridge is detected (S3). Next, water flow / water stoppage is detected by the signal of the flow rate sensor 6, and the water flow or water stop mode is set (S4). Next, it is checked whether the mode set in S4 is the water stop mode (S5). If No, S
Jump to 10, and if yes, check if electrolysis is in progress (S6). If No, jump to S13
If the answer is Yes, an electrolysis termination process is performed (S7), and then it is checked whether or not cleaning is performed (S8). If No, S
Jump to 15; if yes, perform a cleaning process, then jump to S1 (S9). Next, it is checked whether the electrolytic cell 7 is being cleaned (S10). If No, S
Jump to 12, and if yes, perform a cleaning stop process (S11). Next, after performing the electrolytic treatment, j is moved to S1.
Ump is performed (S12). Next, when the electrolysis is not being performed, it is checked whether the cleaning is completed (S13). If No, S
Jump to 1 and if yes, perform drainage treatment and then jump to S1 (S14). Next, after the electrolysis is completed, if there is no cleaning, it is checked whether the operation mode is alkaline (S15). If No, perform drainage treatment and Y
If it is es, jump to S1 (S15).

Next, details of the key scan in FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a key scan process of a conventional alkaline ionizer. First, a key scan of a switch for switching the operation mode, the strength of electrolysis, and the like is performed (S16). Next, various display controls are performed according to the state of S16 (S17). Next, the presence / absence of the cartridge and whether or not the cartridge has been replaced are determined by the cartridge sensor 16 (S18). Next, if it is determined in S18 that the cartridge has been replaced, the counter for counting the integrated flow rate is cleared and the cartridge life detection flag is set to O.
The flow rate is set to FF, the cycle of the output pulse of the flow sensor 6 is counted, and the instantaneous maximum flow velocity is detected (S19), and the key scan processing ends.

Next, the details of the detection processing of the instantaneous maximum flow velocity will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a detection process of the instantaneous maximum flow velocity of the conventional alkali ion water conditioner. First, it is checked whether the output edge of the flow sensor 6 has been detected (S20). If No, j is added to S23.
If the answer is Yes, the output edge is detected as 1
It is checked whether it is the first time (S21). If No,
The process jumps to S25, and if yes, clears the flow pulse period counter and ends (S22). next,
If the edge detection of the flow sensor 6 is No in S20, after counting the flow pulse period, it is checked whether or not the counter overflows (S24). If the determination is Yes, the process jumps to S26. If the determination is No, the process ends. Next, it is checked whether the output edge is detected for the second time (S25). If No, jump to S22.
If the answer is Yes, the flow speed detection end flag is turned on, and the process ends.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, the details of the cartridge life detecting process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for detecting the life of a cartridge of a conventional alkali ion water purifier. First, it is checked whether the cartridge life detection flag has already been turned on (S27). Yes
If the answer is No, the process is terminated. If the answer is No, it is checked whether or not the output edge of the flow sensor 6 has been detected (S28).
If No, the process ends, and if Yes, the integrated flow is counted (S29). Next, it is checked whether or not the integrated flow rate Q1 or more for a preset cartridge life notice display is used (S30). If No, the process is terminated, and if Yes, it is checked whether or not the integrated flow rate Q2 or more for the preset cartridge life display has been used (S31). If No, S
Jump to 33, if yes, set the cartridge life indicator and set the cartridge life detection flag to O.
N is set and the process ends (S32). Next, the cartridge life notice display is set and the process is terminated (S3).
3).

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the details of the flow-through / water-stop detection process will be described. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a flow detection / water stoppage detection process of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner. First, it is checked whether or not the detection of the instantaneous maximum flow rate has been completed with the flow rate detection end flag (S34). If No,
When the processing is completed and the answer is Yes, the instantaneous maximum flow velocity V _m
There examining the threshold V ₂ less than or water passage detection (S35).
If No, then jump to S39, if it is Yes, the maximum instantaneous flow velocity V _m investigate waterproofing detection threshold value V ₁ is smaller than (S36). If No, go to S40 j
If the answer is yes, the water stop mode is set (S37). Next, the flow speed detection end flag is turned off, and the process ends (S38). Next, the water flow mode is set, and the process jumps to S38 (S39). Next, it is checked whether the mode is the water stop mode (S40). If No, S39
Jump to step S37, if yes, jump to step S37
I do.

In this conventional example, the output voltage of the DC power supply for electrolysis 23 is kept constant, and the ON / O of a basic pulse of several hundred Hz is set.
A pulse width control method in which the average voltage is controlled by changing the FF output pulse width is employed. The control during the voltage application automatically sets the average applied voltage from the electrolytic strength and the instantaneous flow rate selected and set by the user, and the controller 19 changes the voltage output pulse width.

[0016]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the indication of the cartridge replacement time is counted only by the integrated flow rate after the replacement of the cartridge, and is uniformly determined, and the quality of the raw water used is different. , Although it can still be used as a cartridge alone,
There were problems such as that the device could not be used for the device, or that the device could not be used due to clogging, but the life was not displayed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide an alkali ion water conditioner capable of displaying an optimum replacement time according to the use condition of a cartridge even when the quality of raw water used is different. With the goal.

[0018]

In order to achieve this object, an alkali ion water purifier according to the present invention comprises a water purifier, an electrolytic cell disposed downstream of the water purifier, and a water purifier and the electrolytic cell . A flow sensor installed in between, a controller for controlling the flow sensor , and a filter material replacement instruction means for instructing replacement of the filter material of the water purifier when the integrated flow rate of the water purifier exceeds a predetermined integrated flow rate by the controller. an alkaline ionized water apparatus for the continuous electrolytic method with the life notice filtering material is performed
If the flow-rate shortage flag is ON multiple times continuously
When the controller uses the flow sensor to
Is detected, the instantaneous maximum flow velocity during water passage of the water purifier further increases
A filter material life display means for instructing replacement of the filter medium when the threshold value of the life notice is not satisfied is provided .
During the period, the controller detects the instantaneous maximum
The lag is turned on to determine the replacement instruction based on the integrated flow rate .

Here, the instantaneous maximum flow velocity value is converted using the value of the cycle counter that counts the cycle of the output pulse of the flow sensor, but the value of the cycle counter may be used as it is. In this case, when the flow velocity is high, the value of the period counter becomes small, so that the comparison branch control is reversed.

[0020]

According to this configuration, if the maximum instantaneous flow velocity does not reach the predetermined moment between the start of water supply and the stoppage of water, the cartridge life is displayed. Therefore, even if there is a difference in the quality of raw water used, the integrated flow rate is uniform. There is no need to replace the cartridge, and the cartridge can be used without waste according to the usage state of the cartridge.

[0021]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an alkali ion water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a main part electric circuit diagram of the alkali ion water purifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a processing flowchart of a control program of an alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG.
The difference is that the controller 19a for controlling the operation of the alkali ion water purifier 3 and the EEPR for storing the integrated flow rate data of the cartridge and the instantaneous maximum flow rate during water flow.
OM30a. 3 is the same as that of the conventional example shown in FIG. 8 except for the water passage / water stop detection processing in S43 and the cartridge life detection processing in S44.

The operation of the control for displaying the replacement time of the cartridge of the alkali ion water purifier in the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the flow detection / water stoppage process of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the cartridge life detecting process of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention. It is.

First, the flow of the water passage / water stop detection processing operation in S43 will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is checked whether the detection of the instantaneous maximum flow rate has been completed by the flow rate detection end flag (S56). If No, the process ends, if it is Yes, the maximum instantaneous flow velocity V _m investigate water flow detection threshold V ₂ less than or (S57). If No, then jump to S62, if it is Yes, the maximum instantaneous flow velocity V _m investigate waterproofing detection threshold value V ₁ is smaller than (S58). If No, jump to S66,
If the determination is Yes, it is checked whether the water is stopped by the water stop flag (S59). If No, go to S67.
mp, and in the case of Yes, the water stop mode is set.
Next, the flow speed detection end flag is turned off, and the process ends. Then, the maximum flow velocity instantaneous at S57 V _m is water flow detection threshold V
If it is smaller than _{2, the} water flow detection flag for determining that the water flow mode has been set is turned ON (S62). next,
Instant check whether the value of the maximum flow velocity V _m is smaller than the value of the flow velocity threshold V ₃ of cartridge life warning (S63). In the case of No, the flow rate shortage flag indicating that the flow rate for determining the life expectancy of the cartridge is insufficient is set to OFF, and S64
If the answer is Yes, the water flow mode is set, and the process jumps to S61 (S64). Next, if the maximum flow velocity V _m is not less than the water stop detection threshold value V ₁ the moment in step S58 checks whether the current water stop mode (S66). No
If, jump to S64; if Yes, jump to S60. Next, if the water stop flag is OFF in S59, the water stop flag is turned ON (S6).
7). Next, a water flow end flag for judging whether or not water flow has been completed is turned ON (S68).
p.

Next, the operation flow of the cartridge life detecting process in S44 will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is checked whether the cartridge life detection flag has already been turned ON (S69). If the determination is Yes, the process ends. If the determination is No, it is determined whether or not the water supply has ended to determine the life of the cartridge at the cartridge replacement notice threshold (S70). If No, the process jumps to S79. If Yes, the water supply end flag is set to O.
FF is set (S71). Next, the flow rate shortage flag is checked (S72). If No, jump to S85,
In the case of Yes, it is checked whether or not the flow-rate shortage flag has been kept ON for at least n consecutive times (S73). N
If it is o, the process jumps to S77, and if it is Yes, it is checked whether the cartridge life has already been notified (S74). If No, jump to S86,
If the answer is Yes, it is checked with the water flow detection flag whether the water flow mode has been set (S75). If No, S77
Jump to, if yes, set the cartridge life indicator (S76). Next, the water flow detection flag is turned off for the next water flow (S77). Next, the flow rate shortage flag is turned on to perform initialization (S78). Next, it is checked whether or not the output edge of the flow sensor 6 has been detected (S
79). If No, the process ends, and if Yes, the integrated flow rate is counted (S80). Next, it is checked whether or not a preset integrated flow rate Q1 for displaying a cartridge life notice is used (S81). If the result is No, the process is terminated. If the result is Yes, the integrated flow rate Q2 for displaying the preset cartridge life is displayed.
It is checked whether the above has been used (S82). If No,
The process jumps to S84, and if YES, the display of the cartridge life is set and the process ends (S83). Next, if No in S82, the cartridge life notice display is set, the cartridge life detection flag is turned on, and the process is terminated (S84).

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the quality of the raw water to be used is different, the optimum replacement time of the cartridge is displayed according to the use state of the cartridge, so that the use of the cartridge without waste is performed. And a stable supply of purified water. In addition, since there is no need to use the apparatus while it is clogged, it is possible to realize a sanitary and safe alkali ion water purifier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part electric circuit diagram of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of a control program for an alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a flow detection / water stoppage process of an alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a cartridge life detecting process of the alkali ion water purifier in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of a control program for a conventional alkali ion water conditioner.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a conventional key scan process of an alkali ion water purifier.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process of detecting the instantaneous maximum flow velocity of the conventional alkali ion water purifier.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process for detecting the life of a cartridge of a conventional alkali ion water purifier.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a flow detection / water stoppage detection process of a conventional alkaline ionizer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Raw water pipe 2 Water tap 3 Alkaline ion water purifier 4 Water purifier 5 Mineral supply part 6 Flow rate sensor 7 Electrolyte tank 8 Diaphragm 9,10 Electrode plate 11 Drainage pipe 12 Flow control part 13 Discharge pipe 14 Solenoid valve 15 Water discharge pipe 16 Cartridge Sensor 17 Power supply plug 18 Power supply unit 19, 19a Controller 20 Operation display unit 21 Transformer 22 Controlling DC power supply 23 Electrolytic DC power supply 24 Current transducer 25 Smoothing circuit 26 Output control circuit 27 Electrolytic tank-electromagnetic valve switching relay 28 Polarity Switching relay 29 Solenoid for solenoid valve 30, 30a EEPROM

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water purifier, an electrolytic cell disposed downstream of the water purifier, a flow sensor installed between the water purifier and the electrolytic cell, and a controller for controlling the flow sensor . A continuous electrolysis type alkali ion water purifier comprising: a filter material exchange instruction means for instructing an exchange of a filter material of the water purifier when an integrated flow rate of the water purifier exceeds a predetermined integrated flow rate by the controller. , Life expectancy of the filter media
Notification is made and the flow shortage flag is ON multiple times continuously
When the controller continues to the flow sensor,
Therefore, when the instantaneous maximum flow rate is detected, and the instantaneous maximum flow rate during the passage of water through the water purifier does not further satisfy the threshold for life prediction.
The filter medium life display means for instructing the replacement of the filter medium is provided .
After detecting the maximum flow velocity during the interval, turn on the flow shortage flag and integrate
An alkali ion water conditioner, which determines a replacement instruction based on a flow rate .